Gibb River Road 4WD Itinerary: Broome to Kununurra through the Kimberley’s Iconic Gorges
The Gibb River Road is the Kimberley’s great outback artery, an historic cattle route that now beckons modern explorers with 660 km of red dirt, ancient reef-carved ranges, and watering holes as clear as glass. This 4WD journey connects Derby with Kununurra and opens gateways to iconic gorges, working cattle stations, and Aboriginal culture. Travel in the dry season from May to October when roads and tracks are typically open, carry extra supplies, and plan ahead for river crossings and corrugations. Park entry fees apply to many sites, so carry a WA Parks Pass or be ready to pay at individual parks, and remember that separate camping or station access fees may apply. Pick up your vehicle in Broome and start your Kimberly adventure.
Day 1: Broome to Derby
Distance: 221 kms
Travel time: ~2.5 hours
Collect your 4WD in Broome and point the bonnet toward the Kimberley heartland. Today is about getting trip ready, settling into the rhythm of the road, and meeting the first of many mighty boab trees as you cruise the sealed Great Northern Highway to Derby.
Where to stop between Broome and Derby
As the pindan soils deepen to rust red, pull over for roadside photo stops with boabs and the wide plains. Near Derby, the famous Prison Boab Tree stands as a stark landmark, a huge, hollow giant said to be more than a thousand years old. It is an evocative introduction to the region’s deep and complex history.
Things to do in Derby
Roll into Derby to stock up on fuel, water, and groceries for the remote days ahead. Walk the long curve of the Derby Jetty and watch the boomerang-shaped coastline empty and fill with some of the world’s biggest tides. Sunset on the mudflats turns the sky to molten orange, a perfect first-night welcome to the Kimberley.
Where to stay in Derby
Set up at a central caravan park in town for easy access to supplies like the Kimberley Entrance Caravan Park. If you prefer an outback station feel, nearby properties offer a quiet bush base before you hit the Gibb. Rest well, tomorrow the gravel begins.
Day 2: Derby to Bandilngan (Windjana Gorge)
Distance: 146 kms
Travel time: ~2.5 hours
Ease onto the Gibb River Road and feel the adventure begin as bitumen gives way to gravel. Today’s target is Bandilngan, better known as Windjana Gorge, where towering limestone walls and tranquil pools reveal the skeleton of an ancient reef system.
Where to stop between Derby and Bandilngan
As the Napier Range rises, pause at roadside lookouts to admire folded limestone ridges and flat-topped mesas. If you have time, consider the short detour to Dimalurru, or Tunnel Creek, about 36km south of Windjana. It is a flashlight-in-hand walk through a 750 m natural tunnel carved by freshwater, a cool, cathedral-like experience on a warm Kimberley day.
Things to do in Bandilngan
Windjana’s cliffs glow amber at golden hour and rise to around 100 m, while freshwater pools shelter fish, birdlife, and often freshwater crocodiles basking on the banks. Stroll along the sandy gorge floor, study fossil-rich walls that tell a 350-million-year-old coral reef story, and soak in the stillness. Go slow and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
Where to stay in Bandilngan
Bandilngan (Windjana Gorge) campground sits a short walk from the trailhead with basic facilities and that big Kimberley sky. It is ideal for an early evening wander, then a star-filled night where silence settles between the limestone walls.
Day 3: Bandilngan to Dulundi (Silent Grove) for Dalmanyi (Bell Gorge)
Distance: 146 kms
Travel time: ~2.5 hours
Today brings you deeper into the Kimberley’s heart. Your goal is Dulundi, the gateway to Dalmanyi, or Bell Gorge, often named among the most photogenic waterfalls on the Gibb.
Where to stop between Bandilngan and Dulundi
Break the drive at the Imintji Community Store & Art Centre. Top up on essentials, view vibrant local artworks, and check in with staff for current track conditions. Diesel fuel is usually available here. The road winds through open savannah and boab-studded flats that shift colour with the light.
Things to do at Dalmanyi (Bell Gorge)
From Dulundi, a short drive and walk leads into Bell Gorge. Follow the rocky path to the lip, then descend to the amphitheatre below. Water sheets over a sculpted rock ledge and drops into a wide, clear pool that is perfect for a cooling swim when conditions allow. Explore rock shelves and shady pockets where you can picnic and listen to the steady hush of the falls.
Where to stay in Dulundi
Dulundi (Silent Grove) campground places you close to the Bell Gorge access track. Showers and simple facilities in a tranquil bush setting make it a comfortable base for a full afternoon at the falls and a relaxed camp dinner under the Southern Cross.
Day 4: Dulundi to Mt Barnett (Manning Gorge)
Distance: 126 kms
Travel time: ~2 hours
Short and sweet, today’s drive keeps more time for swims. Your destination is Mt Barnett Roadhouse, the gateway to Manning Gorge, one of the Kimberley’s most beloved plunge pools.
Where to stop between Dulundi and Mt Barnett
Pause at Galvans Gorge, a traveller favourite just off the road. The walk in is short and rewarding, leading to a palm-fringed pool and seasonal falls. Look for rock art on the approach, then take a dip before continuing to Mt Barnett.
Things to do at Manning Gorge
The Manning Gorge trail begins near the campground with a memorable water crossing before winding over orange rock and spinifex to the falls. It is about 5.6 km return, so start early to enjoy the big pool with time for swims and cliffside lounging. The waterfalls splash into a deep, cool basin bordered by smooth slabs ideal for sun-warmed relaxing between dips.
Where to stay at Mt Barnett
Camp at the Manning Gorge campground near the river. Facilities are basic, and the scenic riverside setting makes it easy to catch sunset on the water and get an early start to beat the midday heat on the walking track.
Day 5: Mt Barnett to Drysdale River Station
Distance: 164 kms
Travel time: ~3 hours
Turn north toward Drysdale River Station, a classic Kimberley cattle station and the last full-service base before more remote adventures. The track to the station is rough in places, so lower your speed and enjoy the scenery.
Where to stop between Mt Barnett and Drysdale River Station
Stretch your legs at safe pullouts by creeks and lookouts along the Gibb before turning onto Kalumburu Road. Keep an eye on road reports and tyre pressures, then continue north through open woodland to Drysdale.
Things to do at Drysdale River Station
Drysdale is a welcome oasis with fuel, meals, and a relaxed bush bar where stories flow as easily as the cold drinks. It is also a launching pad for the Mitchell Plateau region. If you prefer not to tackle the additional rough track north, consider scenic flights from Drysdale that reveal the four-tiered Mitchell Falls from the air and highlight emerald-green pockets puncturing the Kimberley’s red expanse.
Where to stay at Drysdale River Station
Choose from shady campsites or simple station rooms. Handy facilities, decent meals, and friendly hosts make it an easy place to spend the night, restock, and plan tomorrow.
Day 6: Drysdale River Station to Ellenbrae Station
Distance: 120 kms
Travel time: ~3 hours
Ease back to the Gibb today and settle into a gentler pace at Ellenbrae Station. The drive is unsealed, scenic, and dotted with boab groves and creek crossings.
Where to stop between Drysdale River Station and Ellenbrae
Pause at the Gibb River crossing to admire the wide waterway, then roll on through open savannah. Watch for brolgas and wedge-tailed eagles riding thermals above the road, and stop at safe pullouts to take photos.
Things to do at Ellenbrae Station
Arrive in time for the station’s famous scones, then wander the homestead gardens and nearby billabongs for birdwatching. As the heat eases, take a short walk to a shady waterhole to dangle your feet and enjoy the late afternoon light, observing all posted safety guidance around waterways.
Where to stay at Ellenbrae Station
Settle into the rustic campground with fire pits and bush showers. The quiet ambiance and starry skies make this a lovely pause between bigger headline stops, with just enough comfort to recharge.
Day 7: Ellenbrae Station to Balanggarra Home Valley
Distance: 120 kms
Travel time: ~2.5 hours
Back on the Gibb, the horizon opens wide as the Cockburn Range draws you east. Today’s destination is Balanggarra Home Valley, set beside the Pentecost River with sweeping mountain views.
Where to stop between Ellenbrae Station and Balanggarra Home Valley
Break the drive at river crossings and safe roadside lookouts. As the Cockburn Range comes into view, the escarpments glow red and purple with shifting light. Take time to stretch and capture a few photos of this classic Kimberley skyline.
Things to do in Balanggarra Home Valley
Follow short walking trails to lookouts and hilltops for sunset as the Cockburn Range turns gold. Join a guided fishing session on nearby rivers for the chance at a barramundi, or simply relax at the station’s lagoon-style pool to cool off. Natural waterways in the region are crocodile habitat, so always follow local advice and signage.
Where to stay in Balanggarra Home Valley
Choose the main campground with facilities or book a riverside site for front-row views of Pentecost country. A relaxed bar and hearty meals round out the station experience after a rewarding day on the road.
Day 8: Balanggarra Home Valley to El Questro
Distance: 50 kms
Travel time: ~1 hour
Today is short on kilometres and big on wow factor. Cross the Pentecost River on approach to El Questro and take a moment to absorb the sweeping views. You are entering a vast private wilderness filled with hot springs, gorges, and thriving birdlife.
Where to stop between Balanggarra Home Valley and El Questro
Pause at the Pentecost River crossing for a classic Kimberley photo with the Cockburn Range as backdrop. Check conditions before you cross and never enter fast-moving water. On the far side, pull in at safe lay-bys to watch kites wheel overhead and scan the banks for crocodiles.
Things to do in El Questro
Spend the day sampling El Questro’s highlights. Walk the Emma Gorge trail to a high amphitheatre and a cool plunge beneath a delicate waterfall curtain. Soak in the warm, fern-framed pools of Zebedee Springs and listen to the forest hum. Consider a drift on the Chamberlain River to glide between towering walls, or explore shaded picnic spots beside clear creeks.
Where to stay in El Questro
Base yourself at El Questro Station campground for easy access to trails and facilities, with the option of riverside sites or simple cabins. Private bush camps are available for extra solitude if you prefer a quieter slice of the wilderness.
Day 9: El Questro to Kununurra
Distance: 103 kms
Travel time: ~1.5 hours
Roll east to Kununurra and swap gravel for bitumen once more. This friendly hub town is ringed by rugged ranges, big lakes, and the fertile Ord River country. It is a fitting finish line after a week of red dirt and turquoise pools.
Where to stop between El Questro and Kununurra
Enjoy the short drive and reward yourself with fresh fruit stands and scenic pullouts as you near town. With time up your sleeve, consider a golden hour cruise on nearby Lake Argyle, one of Australia’s largest man-made lakes, to watch orange cliffs glow above jade-green water. Leave this as an optional extra with an added night, or book a tour with transfers to keep your driving time relaxed.
Things to do in Kununurra
Celebrate with a cruise on Lake Kununurra and the Ord River, or a gentle swim at designated spots when conditions allow. If you have additional time, scenic flights to the World Heritage listed Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park reveal beehive domes and tight canyons that capture the Kimberley’s otherworldly geology.
Where to stay in Kununurra
Choose a town caravan park beside the water for sunset reflections and an easy walk to cafes. If you opt to push on to Lake Argyle for the night, lakeside campgrounds offer a dramatic finale with infinity-edge pool views over a vast inland sea.
From Kununurra, you can choose to continue on to Darwin in the Northern Territory, or head back along the Gibb River Road route to return your 4WD camper in Broome.
From Derby’s monstrous tides to the cool rock amphitheatre of Dalmanyi, from station life at Drysdale and Ellenbrae to the soothing springs of El Questro, this Gibb River Road 4WD itinerary strings together the Kimberley’s greatest hits without rushing. Travel in the dry season, carry sufficient water and a parks pass or day entry, and check road conditions before setting out each day. Start in Broome and finish in Kununurra for easy vehicle pick up and drop off. Ready to trade city lights for star fields and corrugations for crystal-clear swims? The Gibb is calling, and this route is your ticket to the heart of the Kimberley.